Open Access
Final Report Coupling in silico microbial models with reactive transport models to predict the fate of contaminants in the subsurface.
Author(s) -
Derek R. Lovley
Publication year - 2012
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/1053957
Subject(s) - bioremediation , biogeochemical cycle , biochemical engineering , in silico , environmental science , computer science , environmental chemistry , chemistry , ecology , biology , contamination , engineering , biochemistry , gene
This project successfully accomplished its goal of coupling genome-scale metabolic models with hydrological and geochemical models to predict the activity of subsurface microorganisms during uranium bioremediation. Furthermore, it was demonstrated how this modeling approach can be used to develop new strategies to optimize bioremediation. The approach of coupling genome-scale metabolic models with reactive transport modeling is now well enough established that it has been adopted by other DOE investigators studying uranium bioremediation. Furthermore, the basic principles developed during our studies will be applicable to much broader investigations of microbial activities, not only for other types of bioremediation, but microbial metabolism in diversity of environments. This approach has the potential to make an important contribution to predicting the impact of environmental perturbations on the cycling of carbon and other biogeochemical cycles